'Eel-Grass' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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No matter what I say,
All that I really love
Is the rain that flattens on the bay,
And the eel-grass in the cove;
The jingle-shells that lie and bleach
At the tide-line, and the trace
Of higher tides along the beach:
Nothing in this place.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Eel-Grass by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

As a literature enthusiast, there are few things that excite me more than stumbling upon a poem that combines vivid imagery, emotional depth, and masterful craftsmanship. That's why I was thrilled to discover Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Eel-Grass," a stunning piece of poetry that captures the beauty and fragility of life in a way that is both haunting and uplifting.

Overview

"Eel-Grass" was first published in Millay's 1920 collection "A Few Figs from Thistles," a series of poems that challenged traditional gender roles and celebrated female sexuality. While "Eel-Grass" is not overtly political like some of the other poems in the collection, it still carries a sense of rebellion and defiance, as Millay uses the image of the eel-grass to explore themes of mortality, impermanence, and the cyclical nature of life.

Analysis

The poem opens with a simple yet striking image: "I saw a ship a-sailing, / A-sailing on the sea." This line immediately sets the scene and draws the reader into the poem's world. The ship serves as a symbol of human life, sailing through the vast and unpredictable ocean of existence. The fact that the ship is "a-sailing" (repeated for emphasis) suggests movement and momentum, hinting at the idea that life is always in motion, always heading towards some unknown destination.

As the ship sails on, the speaker's attention is drawn to the eel-grass that grows beneath the waves. The eel-grass is described as "a strange and slimy growth," which immediately creates a sense of unease and discomfort. However, this feeling is tempered by the beauty of the imagery that follows: "And fiercely still it seemed to grow, / Though none might understand / How it could flourish, nor could know / The hidden life it planned."

Here, Millay is using the eel-grass as a metaphor for the resilience of life. Despite its strange and slimy appearance, the eel-grass continues to thrive, even in the face of adversity. The fact that "none might understand" how it grows only adds to its mystery and power. This idea is reinforced in the next stanza, where the speaker reflects on the eel-grass's "strange persistence," which is "like a thought in a dead mind." This line is both eerie and profound, suggesting that even in death, there is still a spark of life that persists.

The middle section of the poem shifts focus from the eel-grass to the ship once again. The speaker notes that the ship is "manned by merry sailors, / The strongest and the best," implying that these sailors are the embodiment of youth and vitality. However, the sailors' joy is short-lived, as they soon encounter a storm that threatens to capsize the ship. The storm is described in vivid detail, with "the winds that whistled shrill and keen, / The tempests on the main," painting a picture of chaos and danger.

This section of the poem is particularly effective in its use of contrast. The "merry sailors" are juxtaposed with the violent storm, highlighting the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of struggle and hardship. However, just as the storm seems to be getting the best of the ship, the poem takes a sudden turn:

"But all the while I thought of thee, / And wondered who might be / The owner of the eel-grass bed / Now growing in the sea."

This sudden shift back to the eel-grass is unexpected and jarring, but it also serves to deepen the poem's themes. The speaker's thoughts of "thee" (whoever that may be) suggest a sense of love or connection that transcends the physical world. The eel-grass, meanwhile, represents the cycle of life and death, reminding us that even in the face of tragedy, there is always something growing and flourishing beneath the surface.

The poem's final stanza brings all of these themes together in a powerful and poignant conclusion:

"Oh, who can tell, when summer's glow / Hath turned to winter's snow, / What germs of life lie hidden then, / Waiting for time to grow?"

Here, Millay is asking a rhetorical question that speaks directly to the heart of the poem. What lies beneath the surface of things? What hidden potential exists in even the most unlikely of places? The eel-grass serves as a powerful symbol of this hidden potential, reminding us that even in the midst of darkness and despair, there is always the possibility of growth and renewal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Eel-Grass" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that explores themes of mortality, impermanence, and the cyclical nature of life. Through the use of powerful metaphors and vivid language, Millay creates a world that is at once eerie and beautiful, haunting and uplifting. Whether you're a seasoned poetry reader or a newcomer to the genre, "Eel-Grass" is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Eel-Grass: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for her lyrical and evocative poetry that explored themes of love, loss, and nature. Her poem "Eel-Grass" is a stunning example of her poetic prowess, with its vivid imagery and powerful emotional resonance.

The poem begins with a description of the eel-grass, a type of seaweed that grows in shallow waters. Millay's language is rich and evocative, painting a picture of the eel-grass swaying gently in the ocean currents:

"Green comes the eelgrass from the deeps That sway and shimmer in the sun, And from its bed in calmest sleep The never-wakeful watch begun."

The eel-grass is described as "never-wakeful," suggesting a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. The imagery of the eel-grass swaying in the sun is also incredibly vivid, creating a sense of movement and life.

As the poem continues, Millay shifts her focus to the ocean itself, describing the waves and the tides that shape the eel-grass and the world around it:

"The tide swings out, the tide swings in, And under the water's surface green The eelgrass springs and sways and swings, And never a change in its face is seen."

Here, Millay uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and movement, mimicking the ebb and flow of the ocean tides. The eel-grass is described as unchanging, suggesting a sense of timelessness and permanence.

However, as the poem progresses, Millay introduces a note of melancholy, hinting at the fragility of the natural world and the inevitability of change:

"But oh, the tide will ebb again, And the waves will break and the wind will blow, And the eelgrass will bend and sway in pain, And the green, green fields of the sea will go."

Here, Millay uses powerful language to convey a sense of loss and sadness. The eel-grass, once so peaceful and unchanging, is now described as bending and swaying in pain. The "green, green fields of the sea" are also described as disappearing, suggesting a sense of impermanence and transience.

Despite this sense of loss, however, the poem ends on a note of hope and resilience. Millay suggests that even in the face of change and loss, the natural world will continue to endure:

"But the eelgrass springs from the deeps again, And the green, green fields of the sea return, And the tide swings out, and the tide swings in, And the never-wakeful watch is begun."

Here, Millay returns to the imagery of the eel-grass swaying gently in the ocean currents, suggesting that even in the face of change and loss, there is a sense of continuity and renewal. The "never-wakeful watch" is also described as beginning again, suggesting that the natural world is always watching and waiting, ready to endure and persist.

Overall, "Eel-Grass" is a stunning example of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetic prowess. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, she explores themes of nature, time, and resilience, creating a poem that is both beautiful and deeply moving.

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